Masking tape dispenser

ABSTRACT

A masking tape dispenser is to be carried upon the lower arm of the user. It includes a support means securable to that lower arm together with a pivot carried by the support means. A reel is rotatable on the pivot and is dimensioned to receive a roll of the masking tape.

United States Patent Suter Nov. 25 1975 [54] MASKING TAPE DISPENSER 3,279,107 l0/I966 Baumgartner 2 402 x Inventor: y K- S 204 w 0th 3,705,697 12/1972 Chagnon 242/85 Loveland, Colo. 80537 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 22 Filed: 1 1974 104,77l 5/1924 Switzerland 242/96 [21] Appl' 456556 Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney, Agent, or FirmHugh H. Drake [52] US. Cl 242/551; 242/96 [51] Int. Cl? B65 19/00; B65H 75/40 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 242/552, 96, 136; 2/162,

12/170; 132/402; 1345/4 B24171 J 265 W5 A masking tape dispenser 18 to be carried upon the 265 R 265 225/78 lower arm of the user. It includes a support means securable to that lower arm together with a pivot carried [56] References Cited by the support means. A reel is rotatable on the pivot UNITED STATES PATENTS and is dimensioned to receive a roll of the masking ta e. 2,670,041 2/1954 Krueger 225/47 X p 2,963,208 12/1960 Yates et a1 225/78 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 MASKING TAPE DISPENSER The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing masking tape or the like. More particularly, it pertains to an arm-mounted but very simple reel assembly for letting the masker dispense his tape as desired in a most convenient fashion.

For years, painters and other artisans have found it necessary to apply significant lengths of masking tape along edges beyond which it was undesired that paint or other surface covering be applied. As most are aware, masking tape typically comes in rolls mounted upon a hub of cardboard or like material. While various sizes may be available, a frequent and convenient size is that of one-inch wide tape mounted upon a cardboard hub having an internal diameter of about two and seven-eights inches.

In masking various areas preparatory to painting, the painter may find it desirable to reel off substantial lengths of the masking tape. To that end, many painters must grasp the roll between their thumb and forefinger while peeling off the lengths of tape desired. Some painters have found that they have sufficiently small hands so as to be insertable within the cardboard hub.

In that case, at least a few have found it desirable to mount the roll upon their wrists, whereupon they can feed the pulled tape between their thumb and forefinger for the purpose of guiding it and, upon achieving the extent of the desired length, squeezing their fingers together so as to allow them to pinch off the pulled end. Of course, this technique is not applicable to those with larger hands. Even as to those who can make use of it, the continual abrasion of the hub upon the wrist leads to undesired abrasions and possibly more severe medical problems.

It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved tape dispensing apparatus that overcomes one or more of the aforenoted problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape-dispensing apparatus which is capable of achieving its purpose while yet being manufactured in an economical form.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, therefore, must dispense masking tape or the like which is carried upon the lower arm of the user. It includes support means securable to that lower arm. A pivot is carried by the support means. Mounted on the support means is a reel that is rotatable and is dimensioned to receive the hub of a roll of the masking tape. Desirably, the reel includes a radially-projecting rim only on its side opposite the support. As another feature, the pivot length and reel width are so related that the pivot assembly is recessed entirely within the interior of the reel. Additionally, it is a feature that an end wall of the reel facing the support means is caused to be spaced from the support.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The organization and manner of operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing use of a masking tape dispenser made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view of the dispenser in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of a modified form of the dispenser of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

As shown in the drawings, a strap 10 is designed so as to be firmly but yet comfortably engaged about the lower arm, or wrist portion, of the user. As detailed in the version of FIGS. 4 and 5, strap 10 includes a pair of space-opposed buckles 12 that serve, together with respective split end portions 13 of the strap, to insure its firm placement upon the users lower arm just above the wrist. In use, buckles 12 preferably are positioned on the upper side of the users arm. For greatest convenience and comfort, it is preferred that strap 10 be made of leather.

Secured to and projecting outwardly from strap 10 is a threaded mounting stud 14. As will be observed in the drawings, stud 14 is secured firmly to strap 10 by means that include washers l5 and 16, respectively on opposite sides of strap 10, and a nut 17. Stud 14 thus presents a pivot in the form of its outwardly projecting shank.

Secured on stud 14 for rotational movement is a reel 20 captivated by a cap screw 21. Desirably, reel' 20 includes an inwardly-projecting apertured boss or hub 22 that functions as a sleeve bearing on stud 14. The nominal external diameter D of reel 20 is such as to accept the internal diameter of the hub 24 of a conventional roll of masking tape 26. Projecting radially outwardly from the outer side of the cylindrical base of reel 20 is a rim 28 that captivates the roll of masking tape upon the reel. That is, the outer diameter D of reel 20 is such as to accept the tape hub rather easily so as not to deform the shape of the convolutions of tape. At the same time, rim 28 prevents the tape roll from escaping laterally once mounted upon the reel and the reel secured on stud 14. Preferably, for durability and lightness in weight, reel 20 is of molded hard plastic material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment as to the fabrication of the strap and its manner of fastening. Otherwise, the construction in FIG. 2 is the same as detailed in FIGS. 3-5. Thus, an elongated strap 10a has one end portion longitudinally bifurcated to define a pair of parallel strips 13a. A first pair of slits 30 are spaced apart longitudinally along one margin of the other end portion of the strap. A second pair of slits 31 are similarly spaced apart along the opposite margin of the strap. Slits 30 and 31 are individually dimensioned so as to receive respective ones of strips 13a in the manner shown in FIG. 2. For use, therefore, each strip 13a is capable of being passed outwardly through the endmost one of the respective slits, then being directed back upon itself and around the strap and finally being inserted in succession through its respective ones of the slits. By making the innermost slits somewhat thicker, easier insertion of the strips is achieved. Particularly for this version, it is preferred that strap 10a be made of a soft, rough-out type of leather. In use, it has been found that such a strap is quite comfortable and, yet, retains itself securely in place. At the same time, strips 13a are of sufficient length so that the strap is adaptable to a 3 wide variety of wrist sizes, while the slip-type fastening assures an exact fit on all users.

It will be observed from FIG. 1 that the desired location of reel upon strap 10 is such as to position the reel so that the tape may be withdrawn from its spool along a path located between the thumb and first finger of the user or wearer. This enables the user to peel off readily a desired length of tape, applying it as he goes if desired, or pulling it free to the desired length before applying it, and then pinching the tape length so as to permit severing it from the dispenser assembly without having to deal with the latter. Once dispensed, the user may then engage in smoothing the applied tape, subsequent painting steps or whatever without having to engage himself any further with the tape assembly. It simply rests upon his lower arm awaiting the next usage. Yet, it is there awaiting the next need without any requirement upon the user for leaving his position of work.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the ap pended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising:

support means securable to the lower arm of the user;

an outwardly projecting pivot carried by said support means; and a reel rotatable on said pivot and dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape, said reel including a radially-projecting rim only on the side of said reel opposite said support means. 2. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising:

support means securable to the lower arm of the user with said support means including an elongated being capable of being passed outwardly through the endmost respective slit and then being directed back upon itself and around the strap and then being inserted in succession through its respective slits;

an outwardly projecting pivot carried by saidsupport means;

and a reel rotatable on said pivot and dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape.

3. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising:

support means securable to the lower arm of the user;

a pivot stud carried by said support means and projecting outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance;

a reel dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape, said reel having a cylindrical wall closed across one end only by an end wall so as to be generally cup-shaped;

a hub formed centrally in said end wall and dimensioned to mount'said reel upon said pivot stud for free rotation thereon;

and means engageable with the outer end portion of said pivot stud for captivating said reel thereon with said end wall facing said support means, the width of said cylindrical wall being sufficiently greater than said predetermined distance that said outer end portion of said pivot stud and said engageable means are recessed entirely within the interior of said reel.

4. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising:

support means securable to the lower arm of the user;

a pivot stud carried by said support means and projecting outwardly therefrom;

a reel dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape, said reel having a cylindrical wall and an end wall;

a hub formed centrally in said wall and dimensioned to mount said reel upon said pivot stud for free rotation thereon;

means for captivating said reel on said pivot stud with said end wall facing said support means; and means encircling said pivot stud for spacing said end wall substantially away from said support means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said support means includes a strap fastenable around said lower arm, said strap being formed of a flexible material. 

1. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising: support means securable to the lower arm of the user; an outwardly projecting pivot carried by said support means; and a reel rotatable on said pivot and dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape, said reel including a radiallyprojecting rim only on the side of said reel opposite said support means.
 2. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising: support means securable to the lower arm of the user with said support means including an elongated flexible strap having one end portion that is longitudinally bifurcated to define a pair of parallel strips, means defining a first pair of slits spaced apart longitudinally near one margin of the other end portion of said strap, means defining a second pair of slits spaced apart longitudinally near the other margin of said other end portion, and said slits being individually dimensioned to receive respective ones of said strips with each strip in use being capable of being passed outwardly through the endmost respective slit and then being directed back upon itself and around the strap and then being inserted in succession through its respective slits; an outwardly projecting pivot carried by said support means; and a reel rotatable on said pivot and dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape.
 3. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising: support means securable to the lower arm of the user; a pivot stud carried by said support means and projecting outwardly therefrom a predetermined distance; a reel dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape, said reel having a cylindrical wall closed across one end only by an end wall so as to be generally cup-shaped; a hub formed centrally in said end wall and dimensioned to mount said reel upon said pivot stud for free rotation thereon; and means engageable with the outer end portion of said pivot stud for captivating said reel thereon with said end wall facing said support means, the width of said cylindrical wall being sufficiently greater than said predetermined distance that said outer end portion of said pivot stud and said engageable means are recessed entirely within the interior of said reel.
 4. Apparatus for dispensing masking tape from a roll carried upon the lower arm of the user, comprising: support means securable to the lower arm of the user; a pivot stud carried by said support means and projecting outwardly therefrom; a reel dimensioned to receive a roll of said masking tape, said reel having a cylindrical wall and an end wall; a hub formed centrally in said wall and dimensioned to mount said reel upon said pivot stud for free rotation thereon; means for captivating said reel On said pivot stud with said end wall facing said support means; and means encircling said pivot stud for spacing said end wall substantially away from said support means.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said support means includes a strap fastenable around said lower arm, said strap being formed of a flexible material. 